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I stumbled across this gem the other day which seemed too appropriate to pass up. Thankfully, it says more about lawyers than Christmas.Whereas, on or about the night prior to Christmas, there did occur at a certain improved piece of real property (hereinafter "the House") a general lack of stirring by all creatures therein, including, but not limited to a mouse.

A variety of foot apparel, e.g. stocking, socks, etc., had been affixed by and around the chimney in said House in the hope and/or belief that St. Nick a/k/a/ St. Nicholas a/k/a/ Santa Claus (hereinafter "Claus") would arrive at sometime thereafter.

The minor residents, i.e. the children, of the aforementioned House, were located in their individual beds and were engaged in nocturnal hallucinations, i.e. dreams, wherein vision of confectionery treats, including, but not limited to, candies, nuts and/or sugar plums, did dance, cavort and otherwise appear in said dreams.

Sponsored Post2012 has seen an alarming increase in the number of professional negligence claims brought by clients against their previous solicitor. Cases of professional negligence involving solicitors often result from a claimant’s case being undervalued and consequently under-settled by the law firm representing them. However, that is by no means the only reason. Some firms provide legal advice which simply does not pass muster. Clients may have been subjected to shoddy service where their previous legal representative lacked the required experience to deal with a complex matter. Sometimes firms fail to act in their clients’ best interests by settling claims or completing other work in a self-serving way. Worse still, some clients are reported to have fallen victim to a scam in which unqualified handlers undertake work on their behalf. Of course, it is important to keep the matter in perspective; the vast majority of legal firms are reputable and provide good quality, appropriat…

There are many reasons that someone might want to allow a family member or loved one the power of Lasting Power of Attorney (L.P.A).When someone is diagnosed with a terminal illness such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, brain injury, or suffers from drug misuse, effects of medication or serious bouts of mental illness, giving someone that power allows their estate to be managed by the nominated person whilst they are too ill to do so themselves. This is designed to allow a better degree of peace of mind if the worst happens. It is not necessary for the person to be diagnosed with something terminal, some people put the process in place as a cautionary measure. Being given the power of attorney over someone can be a large responsibility, especially as it will be for someone close to them or at least someone in a position of great trust. Whether or not someone is ill, mortgage payments still need to be paid, as do utility bills, any credit cards, business transactions or any other …

Clinton’s Christmas card sent to (valued) clients this year.Clintons, based in London, “is one of the foremost law practices in entertainment, sport and media, with an extensive general practice.”

Hat tip to Legal Cheek.Thank God - a law firm with a timely sense of humour at Christmas! Good stuff. It makes a pleasant change from all the shallow yuletide philanthropy that firms are so desperate to be seen doing.

Anyhoo, not to be a dick pedant or anything, but I have a problem with striking out “new year” and amending it with “12 (twelve) months from the date hereof” because it could materially change the meaning from that which was intended.

When you wish someone a “happy new year”, convention dictates that you are wishing them well for the forthcoming new calendar year - whether for the first few days of it or for its entirety.

This is borne out by the OED which provides:“new year” nounthe calendar year just begun or about to begin:Happy New Year! the first few days or weeks of a year…

Tra-la-la-la-larrr …. la-lar-lar-lar.Quotes from the Telegraph 24/12/11: Christmas treesChristmas Trees are the root (ahem) cause of a number of accidents during the festive season. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, 2007 saw around 1,000 people injured in incidents involving Christmas Trees, including pine-related eye injuries as people reached for presents. Those of a cautious nature are reminded that prickly Christmas trees can be made (more) safe by plucking the needles prior to erection. Ahem. Your Christmas tree might be bald, but at least your loved ones won’t get a pine needle stuck in their eye, nor will you have to suffer the stress of hoovering up those newly formed piles of needles that your tree would’ve otherwise shed each and every day.Last year, [in the Czech Republic], one man received £35,000 in personal injury compensation after he was crushed by a 101ft Christmas Tree in Prague.Numerous accident claims are made to insurance companies …

You see, I know it must be that time of year again, faithful reader, because Law Actually has received its annual festive makeover. I’m a bit more satisfied with this year’s attempt; it’s good to have the horrors of trying to decorate that nauseating coffee and cream monstrosity from last year a full 12 months behind me. Never has the expression, “putting lipstick on a pig” been more appropriate. Remember? 2011The 2010 version still has a special place in my heart, however. I think it was the falling snow.Which, it turned out, was just an improved version on the 2009 attempt.And 2008’s theme seems like centuries ago! Still, happy days as I recall.Ah – and the Christmas header which started it all off back in 2007.Nothing like a trip down memory lane, eh?There aren’t many left in the blawgoshpere who have been around for all of my LA Christmas makeovers - save for the lovely Andro, of course.

Guest PostThousands of solicitors work in the UK and choosing the right professional for your situation may seem like mission impossible. Picking the right legal expert will often have a significant bearing on the outcome of your legal proceedings.It is important to do the right research in advance of choosing a solicitor to represent you. The following simple steps should help take the uncertainty out of the equation.

What Kind of Solicitor do You Need?Solicitors are experts in different niches. Find someone who is experienced in the particular legal sector that you need help with.

Just like in other professional spheres, specialisation is of uttermost importance.

Assuming that someone is a great solicitor because of their professional successes can be misguided. Look for the person that works with cases like yours and who is familiar with all aspects and procedures of those types of cases.

RecommendationsRecommendations can always be helpful. Ask friends and relatives who have used the…

Sponsored PostWith Christmas just around the corner, here’s a stunning gift idea for any lawyer – chess lover or otherwise.These exquisite chess sets are handmade in the USA out of cold-cast bronze, travertine tile and mahogany. Each piece is modelled on an iconic courtroom figure which stands on a uniquely "stepped" board designed to resemble a bench and jury-box. The board measures 18 x 19 x 8 inches, with the tallest piece (the king) standing 5 inches high. The whole set (pieces & board) weighs 25lbs. An engraved personalized plate can be added as a finishing touch. This distinguished looking chess set would make the perfect gift for an attorney, law school graduate, judge, or anyone associated with the law. Equally, it would make a wonderful piece of objet d’art for a firm’s office – looking particularly good as the centrepiece in a display case in the firm’s reception area or waiting room, for instance. Heck, if anyone can be persuaded to have a game, it might e…

From Sky News 03/12/12: Jillian Thomas was holding out fish to feed to dolphins at Orlando's SeaWorld when she got an unexpected surprise.Ah yes – holding out fish along with scores of other children, taunting hungry dolphins with food. Don’t ya just love these sealife theme parks? While she was feeding the usually friendly mammals, a dolphin lunged at her and nipped her hand. Hmm - more of a loving squeeze judging from the video. And besides, miscalculations do happen whilst eating from time to time. I got a teaspoon wedged in my mouth the other day. The poor coffee shop owner didn’t know what to do! The girl, whose parents posted the video on YouTube to make other people aware of the dangers, suffered three small puncture wounds. Jillian's father, Jamie Thomas, told local media the family were angry at the theme park for not warning them of the dangers of dolphin feeding.Because wild creatures are notoriously predictable aren’t they? Besides, aren’t the dangers self-evident…

From Yahoosport 17/11/12:Darts fans have been forced to apologise to former BDO world champion Ted Hankey after accusing him of playing while drunk - when in fact he had suffered a stroke. Hankey appeared disoriented and suffered a comprehensive 5-0 defeat to Michael van Gerwen, in which he averaged just 59 and missed the board twice. After the match, Hankey apologised for his performance, saying: "I was shocking I have had the flu since sun(day) night and couldn't see out my left eye". However, this could not stem a tide of criticism accusing him of drunkenness [.] But his manager David Stevenson has revealed the results of a hospital CT scan showing that Hankey suffered a stroke.Holy Cow! Stevenson tweeted: "The docs have confirm (sic) that @TedHankeyDarts has had a stroke he's got very high cholesterol and blood pressure and diabetes got to have 6/8 weeks rest and will need more tests in the coming weeks the doctors report will confirm this might use it to su…

Michael is a practising lawyer and accomplished cynic from the UK. He’s been blogging since his student days and can’t quite bring himself to hang up his blogging gloves just yet (they’re fingerless gloves, obviously).
He loves fussing over trivialities, seeking comfort from repetitive activities, idly reminiscing and moaning about things.